Grading the Seattle Mariners' performance in 2-1 series defeat vs. Detroit Tigers

The Seattle Mariners have officially wrapped up their second series of the 2025 regular season. And in true Mariners fashion, they’ve managed to make the kind of impression fans have come to expect. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the series win everyone was hoping for, as the Mariners lost two out of three to the Detroit Tigers.

While it’s still early — just seven games into the season — the whispers of déjà vu are already growing loud. Fans and analysts alike are waiting for the Mariners' new hitting philosophy to take hold, but thus far, they’ve seen more of the same underwhelming offensive output.

As the season unfolds, it’s becoming clear that the Mariners have a long way to go if they hope to meet the high expectations placed on them. Let’s dive into the details of the series and examine where the Mariners stand so far.

Series Results

• Monday, March 31: SEA 9, DET 6
• Tuesday, April 1: SEA 1, DET 4
• Wednesday, April 2: SEA 3, DET 2

Offense: D

If there's one thing the Mariners’ offense has proven early on, it’s that there’s still plenty of work to be done. The offense continues to live on the edge, and it's a miracle they didn’t get an outright F in this series.

What saved them from total irrelevance was a valiant rally in Game 1 after an awful start by Emerson Hancock that saw him get rocked for six runs leaving him unable to finish the first inning. The Mariners continued to fight back and put up six runs to keep the game competitive. Unfortunately, they fell short and lost 9-6. In the following games, their offensive output continued to be underwhelming, with just four more runs scored over the next two contests.

There were bright spots — Cal Raleigh’s homer from the right side of the plate on Monday night and Dylan Moore’s opposite-field shot on Wednesday provided moments of excitement — but these flashes of power were too few and far between. The Mariners’ inability to string together consistent rallies has once again become a glaring issue. 

Defense: C

The Mariners' defense was, for the most part, solid, though there were a few costly missteps. Game 2, in particular, saw some early defensive blunders that allowed the Tigers to gain momentum.

With Detroit trying to run up the score again in the first inning, a hit from Kerry Carpenter into right field resulted in an errant throw by Victor Robles, who was attempting to get Riley Greene out at the plate. The very next batter hit a ball to left field, allowing Carpenter to score and placing Colt Keith in scoring position after another errant throw this time by Randy Arozarena.

The Tigers did an excellent job of placing the ball in tough spots throughout the series, and while some of the league’s elite defenders might’ve been able to make a play, it’s hard to fault the Mariners too much for balls that were hit too deep in the infield or even just trickled through. The defense wasn’t perfect, but they managed to hold things together for the most part. 

Pitching: C

Pitching was a mixed bag, but there were some notable bright spots. Luis Castillo delivered a much-needed gem in Game 3, going seven strong innings and allowing just two runs on five hits. This was the kind of outing the Mariners needed from their ace to avoid a sweep. Castillo kept the Tigers in check and allowed the Mariners a chance to win in the late innings.

In Game 1, Carlos Vargas stepped up out of the bullpen, eating up 3.2 innings and allowing just one run. His effort helped save the bullpen from complete exhaustion and gave the Mariners a fighting chance in what could’ve been a much more lopsided loss. Vargas and Castillo played critical roles in the survival of the bullpen in this series.

There was also a dramatic moment in Game 3, where Andres Muñoz nearly blew the lead in the ninth. Struggling with his command, he allowed a hit and walked the bases loaded with one out. However, he was able to induce a groundout to force a play at home before striking out Zach McKinstry to save the Mariners from a sweep. The pitching staff did its job in the final two games, holding the Tigers to just six runs after a disastrous start in Game 1. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to keep the Mariners in the series.

Strategy: B

You’ve got to give manager Dan Wilson some credit here. His decision to pull Hancock with one out left in the first inning, turning what could’ve been a blowout loss into a competitive bullpen game. It’s rare for a Mariners pitcher to not even make it through the first inning, but Wilson wasn’t about to let the Tigers capitalize further on Hancock’s struggles.

Additionally, the Mariners have been notably aggressive on the base paths this season — a high-risk, high-reward approach that has shown promise early on. Wilson’s use of Ryan Bliss and Dylan Moore whenever they reach base is a good sign of things to come. The team's speed and willingness to challenge defenses could prove to be a valuable asset as the season progresses. 

The Mariners’ struggles in this series were a familiar story. The offense couldn't find any consistency, leaving the pitching staff to do most of the heavy lifting.

Yes, it’s still early in the season. And yes, there’s hope that the new hitting philosophy will eventually take hold. But right now, the Mariners are stuck in the same cycle of underperforming offense and shaky defense. It’s a tale all too familiar for Seattle fans, and if this team wants to make noise in 2025, they’ll need to start executing on both sides of the ball more consistently.

The Mariners will look ahead to take on the Giants for a three-game set in San Francisco before returning home to take on their division rival Houston Astros.